Miranda do Douro
From Freepedia
Miranda do Douro is a municipality in Portugal with a total area of 488.0 km² and a total population of 7,797 inhabitants.
The municipality is composed of 17 parishes, and is located in the northeastern part of the country, in the district of Bragança.
The present Mayor is Manuel Rodrigo Martins (Social Democrat) and the President of the Municipal Assembly is Domingos Duarte Lima (Social Democrat).
The municipal holiday is July 10.
The city is located on the border with Spain, with River Douro separating the two countries. The nearest town in Spain is Zamora, home to the treaty of Zamora between D. Afondo Henriques and Afonso VII. This would be the first important step towards the independence of the Kingdom of Portugal, and the year it took place is still considered to be the birth year of Portugal, 1143. The river is one of the main attractions to this small city, there are organized trips to watch the wildlife, mostly birds of prey. Important hydro-electrical stations exist in the municipality.
The place has been isolated from the rest of the country for many centuries, so the ancestral way of life is pretty much vivid in the ways and even in the language (see below). Appart from the distance, the weather conditions are an adversery as well; very cold and snowy in winter, and very dry and hot in summer.
The gastronomic tradition is one of it's hallmarks, well within the tradition of Trás-os Montes. "Posta à Mirandesa" is the traditional dish, known and imitated through the rest of the country. It's a heavy and thick stake, and depending on the cooking, it can be a terrific experience! The wine from the region has a high alcoholic graduation (17-18º) and goes very well with the strong food you can appreciate over there.
The city's old quarter dates back from medieval age, along with it's cathedral. The houses are small and one story high. Amidst the old city are the city's town hall and museum, the "Museu da Terra de Miranda" (museum of the lands of Miranda). There tou find all the relevant aspects of the region's evolution. From archaeological foundings to the farm life, the clothing, the traditional masks, all the mystique of this unique place.
The city has a lot of commercial activity, mainly house textile and cutlery, from the village of Palaçoulo. The spanish are good customers, and they come in a great number on holidays and weekends. Accordingly, the number of hotels and inns is pretty good. There are good choices, among them the Pousada de Santa Catarina, leaning towards Douro river down there.
Parishes
- Águas Vivas
- Atenor
- Cicouro
- Constantim
- Duas Igrejas
- Genísio
- Ifanes
- Malhadas
- Miranda do Douro
- Palaçoulo
- Paradela
- Picote
- Póvoa
- São Martinho de Angueira
- Sendim
- Silva
- Vila Chã de Braciosa
General Info
The adjacent area is home to the speakers of Mirandês (Mirandese), a dialect of Leonese language, that was recognized in 1999 by the Portuguese state as co-official with Portuguese language for local matters.
